HBCU receives $1.5 million grant from TD Jakes and Wells Fargo

A private historically Black Methodist college in Dallas, Texas receives a financial boost from T.D. Jakes and Wells Fargo to expand housing and support community development.

Written By Monica J. Ellis // EEW Magazine Online

(EEW MAGAZINE NEWS) Paul Quinn College, a historically Black institution in Dallas, Texas, has been awarded a $1.5 million grant to expand on-campus housing and develop a mixed-use community for students and residents of the Highland Hills neighborhood.

The grant, provided by the T.D. Jakes Foundation and Wells Fargo, will fund a transformative project that includes additional student housing, retail and restaurant spaces, parks, outdoor meeting areas, and classrooms. The initiative also aims to provide tiny homes for families in the surrounding community, addressing local housing challenges.

Paul Quinn College (PQC), a private historically Black institution in Dallas, Texas, is affiliated with the African Methodist Episcopal (AME) Church. Established as the oldest historically Black college west of the Mississippi River, it holds the distinction of being the nation’s first urban work college.

Paul Quinn College President Michael Sorrell emphasized the project’s dual focus on education and economic development. “We want to build a community for them,” he said, “that says we see you, we respect you, and we want to make life better for you.”

A Vision for Inclusive Growth

The ambitious project is rooted in the college’s mission to uplift underserved communities while enhancing opportunities for its students. “Just because your income level may only have one comma doesn't mean you can't have a two-comma lifestyle,” Sorrell remarked, highlighting the initiative’s focus on dignity and quality of life for residents.

With support from the city, construction is expected to begin this summer.

Ongoing Collaborations

Paul Quinn College has a longstanding relationship with both the T.D. Jakes Foundation and Wells Fargo. The bank has previously supported the college’s Corporate Work Program, which provides students with hands-on job experience and scholarships, as well as contributing to an emergency housing fund for students in crisis.

The college also recently launched its first graduate program—a faith-based MBA for aspiring business leaders—in partnership with the Jakes Divinity School. Sorrell noted that the program underscores the institution’s commitment to education and economic mobility.

“We have always known that we needed to be an anchor to that redevelopment,” he said, referencing the college’s role in revitalizing the Highland Hills community.

A Brief History

Paul Quinn College (PQC) was founded on April 4, 1872, in Austin, Texas, by African Methodist Episcopal (AME) Church leaders as the Connectional School for the Education of Negro Youth. Initially operating out of churches and homes, it moved to Waco, Texas, in 1877 and was renamed Waco College. The school followed a trade-school model, teaching skills like blacksmithing and carpentry, similar to the Tuskegee Institute.

Under the leadership of Bishop William Paul Quinn, additional land was acquired, and the curriculum expanded to include classical subjects such as Latin, mathematics, and theology alongside vocational training. In 1881, the college was chartered by the State of Texas and renamed Paul Quinn College to honor Bishop Quinn’s contributions. By 1898, the school had seven faculty members, including four women, reflecting its growing influence in education.

Since its founding, PQC has been led by a succession of presidents, with Michael J. Sorrell serving as its president since 2007.

With this new funding, Paul Quinn College views the project as a pivotal step toward fulfilling its vision of strengthening communities through education, opportunity, and innovation.